A Pocket Watch From The Future?

I love watches, especially pocketwatches. I rarely wear one, but I have a large collection. My collection contains everything from my first Mickey Mouse watch when I was a child, to antique watches worn by my great aunt Cora Lee from the 40s and 50s. I even have jewelry I’ve made from dead pocket watches.

So when I saw the Kisai Rogue Touch Pocket Watch from Tokyoflash, I had to lay my hands on it. It seemed like the perfect combination of Old World panache and New World Technology. Steampunkish, almost. In fact, I can see it as a grand edition to my steampunk cosplay outfit. OOoooo, but I digress.

Image Credit: April Flowers

For a digital watch, the price tag is a bit hefty, $169 USD. For the sheer pleasure of an anachronistic pocket watch with a touchscreen display that is unreadable to those around youâ€”I think the price is just about right.

The Kisai Rogue Touch Pocket Watch is made of stainless steel construction and has a nice, weighty feel to it, as any pocket watch should. It is available in your choice of four colorsâ€”red, green, blue and blackâ€”with a spring-hinged cover and crystal lens.

Image Credit: April Flowers

There are four “hot-zones” for switching between modes. The watch tracks two time zones and has alarm and date functions. But enough about the technical stuff, the big question is, did I like it?

The answer is mostly yes. Setting the watch is a little difficult to figure out and get used to. I admit, it would be easier if my fingers weren’t so big, or the face of the watch were just a little larger. Perhaps a stylus would make it easier. Once everything is set, however, the only reasons you should need to touch the face is to light up the backlight, or show it off to your friends.

Reading the time on the watch takes time to master. For me, it was about two days and then it became rather easy. Now, I have old eyes. I’m wearing my first pair of bifocals, and the second time zone is small. So I did a bit of squinting. Again, I think I would like it if the screen were just a bit bigger.

Image Credit: April Flowers

Those are my only two complaints about this watch and they are overwhelmed by the praise I have for it. I love the feel, the look, the inscrutability for outsiders, the coolness factor. I love the mix of technology and Old World fashion. In fact, other than the small size of the screen, I love everything about this watch.

And let’s be honest. Tokyoflash isn’t really in the business of making “time pieces” for you to tell time on. They are making “wearable art…where design is the main point.”Â They drive home this philosophy with the fact that each watch is a limited edition. Only so many of each will be made, and then the design is retired to their “Watch Museum.”

This is not the only amazing, high-tech watch Tokyoflash makes, of course. If this watch catchesÂ your eye, you should really take a moment to peruse the rest of their catalog and let them “Change The Way You Think About Time.”